Science
SCIENCE FACULTY
| 🎓 Course Type | Compulsory - Pathway options available in Year 10 |
|---|---|
| ⏱ Hours per week | 4 |
| ✏️ Selection | Year 9 - Science is automatically included Year 10 - A single selection to be made from: - Science (an Australian Curriculum standard course) - Science Extended (an accelerated Australian Curriculum course plus extension) - Modified Science (a modified Australian Curriculum course, to be selected only where advised)
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| 🧭 Future Pathways | Modified Science - All TCE Level 2 Science Courses Science - All TCE Level 2 Science Courses - All TCE Level 3 Science Courses - All IB DP Standard Level Science Courses - Option of accessing IB DP Higher Level Science Courses if achieving well above the standard in Year 10 Science Science Extended - All TCE Level 3 Science Courses - All IB DP Standard Level Science Courses - All IB DP Higher Level Science Courses |
In Years 9 and 10, in line with the Australian Curriculum, the study of Science at The Friends’ School is compulsory. The goals of science education are:
- To encourage wonder, exploration and engagement with the wider world
- To develop skills in evidence-based reasoning and critical thinking
- To encourage intellectual curiosity through practical investigations and student guided inquiry
- To develop scientific literacy skills, in order to:
- explain phenomena scientifically
- evaluate and design scientific enquiry
- interpret data and evidence scientifically.
All units are studied as three interrelated and integrated strands: Science Understanding, Science as a Human Endeavour, and Science Inquiry.
The topics cover the following sub-strands of Science Understanding:
- Biological Sciences
- Chemical Sciences
- Physical Sciences
- Earth and Space Sciences.
All science courses offered in Years 9 and 10 equip students to undertake further science studies at Clemes, whether they are following a TCE or an IB pathway. An outline of the possible pathways available can be seen in the following image.
Year 9 Science
During Year 9, all students study a general science course that combines all content areas with inquiry skills and the role of science in our modern society. This course is based on the Australian Curriculum and is designed to develop general scientific literacy skills alongside preparing students for further studies in science.
If a student struggles to meet the standards in Year 9, they will be recommended to enrol in Modified Science in Year 10. If a student achieves well above the standard in Year 9, they will be recommended to enrol in the Science Extended course in Year 10.
Choosing the "Right Course" in Year 10
It is important when selecting the science course in Year 10 to consider a science pathway through to Year 12. This should include careful consideration of options, as decisions made about Year 10 can make some options in Years 11 and 12 more challenging. It is also important to note that decisions made for Year 10 can still be changed. If it is deemed that a different course would be more appropriate, it is possible for students to swap courses during Year 10 (e.g. from Science to Science Extended).
The Science courses taught in Years 9 and 10 equip students for further science study in both TCE or IB pathways, however different TCE and IB options will be better suited depending on the science choices in Year 10.
Working backwards from Year 11 & 12 ambitions will help students make an appropriate choice now. Students that wish to attempt, in Year 11 or 12, the more challenging science courses (TCE Level 4 Chemistry and Physics or any Higher Level IB sciences) will need to be prepared appropriately, and should be choosing the Science Extended pathway in Year 10.
Students will be counselled during the Year 9 course selection process as to which Science pathway is best suited to them in Year 10. Enrolment in the Modified course will be made in consultation with the Learning Leader Science, the Year 9 science teacher(s), tutor and parents.
Year 10 Science - Pathway Options
Year 10 Modified Science
Enrolments in the Modified Science course are based on recommendations made by class teachers in consultation with the Learning Leader Science. This course is designed for students who have difficulty accessing the standard Australian Curriculum - Science.
Modified Science has a strong focus on student scientific literacy and numeracy, scientific inquiry and science as a human endeavour.
Year 10 Science
The Year 10 Science course is based on the Australian Curriculum and is designed to develop general scientific literacy skills alongside preparing students for further studies in science. This course is suitable for students who have achieved at a satisfactory standard in Year 9.
Year 10 Science Extended
The Year 10 Science Extended course is designed for students who have a deep interest in the sciences and want to continue with their science education post year 10 at a high level. This course is suitable for students who have achieved at above the satisfactory standard in Year 9.
As with the Year 10 Science course, the Science Extended course is based on the Australian Curriculum, however the standard content is covered at a quicker pace to give students time to further develop their understanding by going into topics and concepts in more depth. The Science Extended course will also cover other content required by the International Baccalaureate as prior knowledge for the challenging Higher Level scientific courses of Year 11 and 12.